Pages

April 27, 2015

5 books on my future reading list

Last fall we took a family trip to Disneyland and I was astounded at how many parents were on their phones, while their children were trying to get their attention. In Disneyland!

It made me sad.

This book is about the social media habits kids pick up and how parents can teach a more balanced way of using it.

I vote for no phones or electronics on family vacations! : )

Amazon says here of the book:"In this digital age, children are spending more and more time
interacting with a screen rather than a parent. Technology has the
potential to add value to our families, but it can also erode a sense
of togetherness and hinder a child's emotional growth.

In Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World,
you'll learn how to take back your home from an over-dependence on
screens. Discover the five A+ skills needed to give your child the
relational edge in a screen-driven world: affection, appreciation,
anger management, apology, and attention."

The Hardest Peace
I first saw a link to this authors blog on Facebook with her final message to her readers.

She has now passed away from cancer and left a great legacy of love and peace that we can find in Christ.

I love what Joni Eareckson Tada says in the forward:

"Kara and I both recognize that vulnerability and transparency are so necessary in communicating a powerful story.

But we also know that our testimonies won't really reach - or even change - the life of the reader. Only the Word of God can do that. Which is why I so appreciate The Hardest Peace.

It is filled with snippets of psalms and slices of encouraging scriptures that express the story of God and His purposes in our pain. Kara has a way of reminding us that God's reasons are perfect and that our Savior, intimately acquainted with grief and suffering, is constantly pleading our case before heaven's throne.

What could be more comforting than that?"Return To Me
I love Lynn Austins novels.

Though, I've never read any of her Biblical fiction.

This first book. in her 'The Restoration Chronicles' series is based on the biblical books of Ezra and Nehemiah

Bethany House Publishing says of it here:"Bringing the Old Testament to vibrant life, Return to Me tells
the compelling story of two men living by faith in the midst of doubt,
the women who love them, and the faithful remnant struggling to rebuild
their lives in obedience to the God who beckons them home."

I'm very excited to get started on this one! : )

The second book, Keepers of the Covenant, is available now as well.

The third book, On this Foundation, is coming out in October.

The Cross He Bore
This was a recommendation by a fellow blogger and sounds like a powerful read.
A book of meditations on the sufferings of Christ.
It's a short read of under 100 pages, but it's sure to be filled with great wisdom.

Here is this books description:

"Frederick Leahy spent a lifetime in the ministry of the Word. In these
pages, preacher, pastor and theologian come together in a happy unity.

No words are wasted.

There is nothing of the frothy and insubstantial.

Here is satisfying truth, painstakingly quarried and crafted for the
needs of God’s people. A judicious selection of gems from the writings
of others provides further enrichment and stimulus to thought."

Women of the Word

There is always something new for us to find in God's Word. We are forever learning. : )

This book sounds like it could be a great help, as we study with our hearts and minds.

Amazon say here:

"We all know it’s important to study God’s Word.

But
sometimes it’s hard to know where to start.

What’s more, a lack of
time, emotionally driven approaches, and past frustrations can erode our
resolve to keep growing in our knowledge of Scripture. How can we, as
Christian women, keep our focus and sustain our passion when reading the
Bible?Offering a clear and concise plan to help women go
deeper in their study of Scripture, this book will equip you to engage
God’s Word in a way that trains your mind and transforms your heart."

I really want to read Growing up Social, The Hardest Peace, and Women of the Word, too. I'm with you on voting no to phones/electronics on family vacations! Also, I'm always sad when I'm at children's birthday parties and it never fails that almost everyone is sitting around scrolling on their phones(which is why I love my simple, old fashioned flip phone). I DO need encouragement to get away from the internet more often, though! ;)

My kids are grown now and there weren't smart phones when they were young. Now-a-days I think it's having a computer at your fingertips at all times that seems to be the problem and texting! We made our kids wait till they were in grade 12 before they got a phone and I'm so glad because boy, do they like to text alot!! : )

I'm guilty of spending more time on the computer than I should too. I need to work on that. : )

These all look great! I love to read but have been having a hard time fitting it into my schedule lately. I hate when the phones are more important than people, especially children. I don't have a cellphone for that reason.

Love...love...love The Cross He Bore. Read it for the second time this past lent season. This time with my teenage daughters, and the first time with my husband. A powerful thought provoking book. It is small in page numbers but dense.I hope you are enriched from reading the book as we were.

I am very curious about Women of the Word. Very curious.

I followed Kara Tippets on FB, her passing had an affect on me, and I did not personally know her. But her strength and courage and always pointing to Jesus has impacted me. I want to read the Hardest Peace but I'm not ready to do that yet. I hope you find it encouraging.

Return To Me sounds very intriguing and I am tempted to read it because Nehemiah happens to be one of my favorite men of a biblical times. But I am always a bit leery with Biblical Fiction. Sometimes it can be solid, sound and rock my reading world. But many times its meh, and makes me feel like I should have never gone down that reading path. I hope you like it. And if my library has it then maybe I will at least check out the first chapter.

Good to know you loved The Cross He Bore! I'm looking forward to reading it.

Though I haven't read any of Lynn Austin's Biblical fiction I have read many of her other books and she is a very thorough and knows her Bible. I've only heard great things from others who have read her Biblical fiction. I know there are some novels out there that aren't so good. I've read a few that didn't stick to the Biblical account and were disappointing.

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Appreciate your thoughts. : )

I can't recommend Women of the Word highly enough. It has been formative for me. As for the Lynn Austin books, I guess I'd better get busy and find those, because I've been teaching on Nehemiah for the past several months in my church! Thanks for the heads up!

Return to Me is on my tbr shelf for this month's Clean Sweep ARC Challenge - look forward to when time allows me to get into it :) and always happy to find another Cian book blogger ! [visiting via weekend brew]

Thank you for sharing this book list at The Weekend Brew. You always give me new ideas to add to my own list. I have the Hardest Peace but have but have not had a chance to read it yet. Hope you have a blessed week.

These look like wonderful books! I'm always looking for good ones to add to my ever-increasing collection. :) I'm especially interested in Kara Tippetts' book. I'm glad you linked up with us at Grace & Truth!

Welcome to my blog!
A blog of thoughts on books I've read with a few extra thoughts thrown in. : )
I'm a wife and mom of three. I love reading and learning, gardening and listening to good music and I love spending time with my family.
My hope is that this blog brings honor to the Lord and some encouragement for you.